Investment Complements “Southern Tier Soaring” - The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Amphenol Aerospace, one of the world's largest manufacturers of interconnect products for the military, commercial aerospace, and industrial markets, will construct a 5-megawatt solar farm on its industrial campus in the Town of Sidney, Delaware County. The new solar farm, which will utilize a large land site in the Village that would otherwise be unusable because it is located in a floodplain, will provide power to the rest of Amphenol’s operations and will promote stability of the electrical supply as the power generated goes back into the grid-especially during peak usage periods in the summer. The total project cost has been placed between $14 and $15 million.
“Amphenol Aerospace’s resilience and resurgence has been tremendous and we’re proud to support their continued commitment to the Southern Tier,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “This is a great example of a business making a forward-thinking investment that will not only help their bottom line but benefit the local community and our environment.”
In 2012, to ensure Amphenol Aerospace maintained its presence in New York State after the devastation it experienced during flooding in 2006 and 2011, Empire State Development, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) and local officials offered support totaling more than $32 million to construct a new manufacturing facility. Thanks to that support, more than 1000 jobs have been retained in the region.
Ryan Fisher, General Manager of Amphenol Aerospace Operations, a division of Amphenol Corporation said, “New York State and ESD have been wonderful partners in helping secure a sustainable future on the former site of our factory. Their additional financial support provided critical monies needed to complete our investment in a project that not only puts to productive use our former site, but provides environmentally friendly, low cost electricity to our facilities. Truly a win for our customers, employees and community.”
In 2011, the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene resulted in millions of dollars in damage to Amphenol’s operations in Sidney, forcing the company to build a new plant. Since then, the site of the former plant has been deemed undevelopable. Amphenol Aerospace will now abate, demolish and construct a 5-megawatt solar farm on the site, which will provide the energy equivalent to powering 832 homes annually. To assist the company with its plan to build the solar farm, ESD has offered a performance-based grant of up to $1.25 million, as recommended by the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council.
Increasing the use of solar supports the mandate that 50 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable resources by 2030. Administered by NYSERDA, the $1 billion NY-Sun initiative is designed to scale-up solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. Since 2011, solar in New York State has increased more than 1,000 percent and leveraged nearly $2.8 billion in private investments. There are more than 12,000 people engaged in solar jobs across New York.
Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “We commend Amphenol Aerospace for integrating solar energy into its operations portfolio as part of its rebuilding effort. In the face of climate change, Governor Cuomo’s forward-thinking clean energy initiatives are enabling companies of all sizes to realize the cost-saving benefits and environmental stewardship associated with renewable energy and NYSERDA is proud to be a partner in this effort.”
This project supports the efforts of the locally-developed Southern Tier Soaring strategic plan, which includes a significant focus on forward-thinking investments in advanced manufacturing and 21st Century industries.
State Senator James L. Seward said, “Amphenol’s ability to succeed and grow has a direct impact on the success of our region and the future well-being for hundreds of families. I was pleased to lend my support to the solar farm project which will lead to clean, renewable electricity that will benefit our climate and our economy.”
State Assemblyman Clifford Crouch said, “I am thrilled to see Amphenol Aerospace receive the necessary funding to build a new solar farm in Sidney. Over the last ten years, Amphenol Aerospace has shown their investment and belief in our community by sticking it out so that 1,000 jobs remained in the Southern Tier after enduring devastating flooding. Their new solar farm project again highlights their commitment to our region and the environment, helping to reduce strains put on the power grid from their facilities during their busy season, and doing so in an environmentally conscious way.”
Delaware County Legislature Chairwoman Tina Mole said, “Amphenol Aerospace is the Delaware County’s largest employer, providing over 1,000 jobs in our region. They are leading the way in advance manufacturing, and through this project, taking a leading role in environmental sustainability. This project will help to reduce their high energy costs and remain competitive in the industry.”
Amphenol Aerospace, a Division of Amphenol Corporation, is one of the largest manufacturers of interconnect products in the world for the Military, Commercial Aerospace and Industrial markets. Amphenol designs, manufactures and markets cylindrical and rectangular, electronic, fiber optic, EMI/EMP filter, and a variety of special applications connectors and interconnect systems. The currently has approximately 1,000 employees in Delaware County, who work to incorporate state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies including CNC machining, die-casting, molding, impact and extruding, plating, screw machining and process controls. For more information about Amphenol Aerospace, visit http://www.amphenol-aerospace.com.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $4.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.
Contact:
Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585)399-7055
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313